Published September 26, 2026
flydubai now flies daily from Dubai straight into Pokhara
flydubai launched a scheduled daily service between Dubai International Airport (DXB) and Pokhara International Airport (PHH) on September 23, 2026 — the first regular non-stop connection between Dubai and western Nepal. Pokhara becomes flydubai's second Nepali destination after Kathmandu, which it has served since 2009, carrying more than 4.5 million passengers on that route to date.
For travellers headed to Pokhara, the Annapurna region or Mustang, the route removes a step that used to be unavoidable: landing in Kathmandu and then arranging a second flight, bus or private transfer just to reach western Nepal.
The key facts
- Operates from Terminal 3 at Dubai International Airport, non-stop to Pokhara.
- Inaugural flight used a Boeing 737 MAX 8, arriving with 113 passengers and departing for Dubai with 152.
- Runs under the flydubai–Emirates codeshare, with single-ticket, through-checked connections.
- Nepal's flydubai schedule is now 35 flights a week, including four daily Kathmandu departures.
- The arrival was marked with a ceremonial water-cannon salute at Pokhara.
Why this route matters
Pokhara has long drawn travellers for Phewa Lake, mountain views and its role as the gateway to the Annapurna region — but Pokhara International Airport has struggled to attract sustained scheduled international traffic since it opened in January 2023. A daily service from a hub the size of Dubai changes that equation, giving the city direct standing as an entry point rather than a stop tacked on after Kathmandu.
It's also relevant off the trekking trail: the UAE hosts a large Nepali community, much of it from Gandaki Province, so the route gives workers, students and families a way to reach western Nepal without routing through Kathmandu first.
A wider network through Dubai
Because the route runs under the flydubai–Emirates codeshare, its reach goes well past the Dubai–Pokhara leg itself. Nepal Tourism Board says the partnership connects Pokhara to more than 250 destinations worldwide through Dubai — meaning travellers from Europe, the Americas or Asia could in principle route through Dubai straight into Pokhara, and residents of western Nepal gain an easier on-ramp to global travel.
What it could open up for western Nepal
Trip ideas tourism operators are already building around the route
Flight details
| Departure | Dubai International Airport (DXB), Terminal 3 |
| Arrival | Pokhara International Airport (PHH) |
| Routing | Non-stop |
| Flight time | ≈ 4 hours 30 minutes |
| Frequency | Daily |
| Launch date | September 23, 2026 |
Schedules can shift for operational or seasonal reasons — always confirm the current timetable directly with flydubai before booking.
Before you book
The route is announced as daily, but airline schedules shift for operational, seasonal or commercial reasons — verify before you fly.
Allowances vary by fare type. If you're carrying trekking gear, confirm the policy before departure.
Confirm current visa and entry rules for Nepal ahead of travel — requirements can change.
Pokhara is a strong base for western Nepal, but reaching trekking regions may still need road transport, a domestic flight, or a trekking arrangement.
Mountain and trail conditions swing a lot across the year — check weather and trail status before locking in an adventure itinerary.
The bigger picture
Kathmandu has carried nearly all of Nepal's international air traffic for decades, while Pokhara built a tourism identity without matching air access. This route tries a different model — bringing travellers straight to the destination instead of funnelling everyone through the capital first. Whether that sticks depends on demand holding up, and on Nepal's tourism industry turning easier access into longer stays and repeat visits, not just a one-off spike in arrivals.
Planning a trip to Pokhara?
Check live fares and the current Dubai–Pokhara timetable directly with the airline, or start mapping out an Annapurna itinerary while the route is fresh.
